In these times of an extremely divided country and government, the new documentary The First Step follows CNN correspondent/Black progressive Van Jones, as he controversially crosses party lines to win bipartisan support for criminal justice reform and a more humane response to the addiction crisis during a divisive Trump administration. Jones puts everything on the line and risks relationships on both sides, as he tries to achieve what is truly an impossible task.
Directed by Brandon Kramer, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, and will screen at the 2021 AFI DOCS as an Official Selection.
In this revealing observational portrait, Black progressive activist and political commentator Van Jones faces a polarized society head on in an effort to reform a broken criminal justice system. Jones, known for calling Donald Trump’s election “a whitelash” live on primetime TV, navigates increasingly tense and isolating political and racial divides in his attempt to become a “bridge builder” during the Trump administration.
The First Step features subjects Louis L. Reed, Jessica Jackson, Virgie Walker, Pete White, and Tylo James. The film also features Jared Kushner, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Shelley Capito, Senator Rand Paul, Senator Mike Lee, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Patrisse Cullors, Charlemagne Tha God, Karen Hunter, and Kim Kardashian.
Director Brandon Kramer is a documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures. Brandon directed City Of Trees (Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, national broadcast on PBS’ America Reframed, Netflix); and the Webby Award-winning documentary series The Messy Truth with Van Jones. Brandon won Best Director at the 2016 Chesapeake Film Festival and Indie Capital Awards, received the Audience Choice Award at the 2015 American Conservation Film Festival and was a 2015 DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Individual Arts Fellow. Brandon has directed over 30 short documentaries commissioned by public agencies and nonprofits including AARP and US Institute of Peace. Before starting MHP, Brandon served as a teaching artist for the John F. Kennedy Center’s national media education program. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in film and cultural anthropology from Boston University.